That winning feeling
Getting up for work on Monday morning is never a pleasant experience, but it's even worse when
you've stayed up late the night before. This time around though I had no qualms about making the
sacrifice, knowing full well the horrors I'd face as my alarm went off to signify the dawn of
another week in the office were worth it, just so I could witness the thrilling climax of the
year's final Major in golf.
A stunning stadium
- It's been one of my busier sporting weeks, I guess anytime you end up at the
Aviva Stadium and Croke Park in the space of a few days has to be categorised as such.
I wrote a blog last year about the New York Yankees and the extraordinary money the franchise
was spending to bring the World Series back to the Big Apple. Well it worked, and the Yanks are
looking good again this year atop the American League. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died this
week aged 80 and it's fair to say he was a colourful character.
I was sent this today by the good folk at Simply Zesty and it's well worth a look. If anything
could round up the month long footballing extravaganza in one fell swoop then this is it.
Enjoy.
The final is almost upon us
There are a couple of things we know for certain ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday. One is
that Englishman Howard Webb will referee the big game, after having what many, including FIFA quite
clearly, consider to be a commanding and controversy free tournament.
Spain still on track for glory
Tomorrow, June 30th, will be the first day since the World Cup began over two and a half weeks
ago that there won't be any live football on. The group stages have been and gone, and with Spain's
victory over their Iberian neighbours Portugal tonight, the last 16 has been whittled down to
8.
Top scorer in the making? David Villa has three already
So there we have it. 32 teams started out on June 11th and two weeks later we're down to the
last 16. Gone are both finalists from four years ago, France and Italy. Still alive are so-called
minnows of the global game like Slovakia and Japan.
Five correct answers and this could be yours
So the good folks at SimplyZesty have given me a prize to give away to one of my readers. And it
has really come at a great time because A Sporting View is going from strength to strength, and the
blog has gained a really loyal following in the year its been up and running.
Will he stay or will he go?
Perhaps it was a weekend where the focus of most sports fans was not what it might have been.
The weekend directly before a Saturday featuring not just the Heineken Cup Final, but also the
Champions League decider can have that effect. But it was still noteworthy on many levels
nonetheless.
The Oscars they're not
There's been a slew of awards handed out in recent weeks to honour those who have made the
Premier League season just passed a memorable one. Wayne Rooney won the PFA and FWA awards for his
outstanding campaign up front for Man United, while Harry Redknapp and Roy Hodgson were chosen by
league sponsor's Barclay's and the League Managers Association as their respective managers of the
year.
Advantage Inter
What a compelling game just finished in the San Siro. Inter were worthy 3-1 winners on the night
and once again not only did Jose Mourinho get his tactics spot on, but his players gave their all
in the pursuit of victory. The tie is a long way from being over, it's not hard to envisage Barca
scoring twice in El Camp Nou after all, but tonight's win for the Nerazurri will leave
their outstanding captain Javier Zanetti and his team mates dreaming of a date with destiny in
Madrid on May 22nd.
Suits you Sir
What a weekend of sport just passed, something for everyone no matter what your chosen game. Of
course for those of us who follow just about everything it was a dream come true from golf to
rugby, soccer to horse racing, hardly an hour slipped by from the time the Masters began at Augusta
last Thursday when you didn't have long to wait for the next special occasion.
Giving something back
Those lucky enough to play top level GAA for their counties often assume privileged positions.
Their skillful exploits in the marquee games that highlight an Irish summer leave them feted by
their county supporters, idolized by youngsters wishing one day to emulate their
achievements.
Get ready for the biggest week in racing
The title sounds like a prescription you'd get from your GP when he starts you on a course of
antibiotics, but the only fever racing fans will be suffering from over the next four days is that
of the Festival variety. The Cheltenham National Hunt Festival to be precise.
